If you’re planning on visiting Morocco, you might be wondering if drinking alcohol is legal. After all, Morocco is a Muslim country and alcohol is prohibited in the Quran.
The answer is yes, drinking alcohol in Morocco is legal, so you will be able to enjoy something stronger than mint tea. There are, however, some restrictions that you will need to abide by when you’re visiting the country. Drinking alcohol in Morocco is a bit more complicated compared to countries like France, Portugal or Italy, for example.
Alcohol may not always be easy to come by, but Morocco isn’t a ‘dry’ country though, and there are places where you can have a drink. You’ll find everything you need to know about the subject in this guide.
Everything You Need to Know About Drinking Alcohol in Morocco
Can You Drink Alcohol in Morocco?
Although drinking is allowed in Morocco, alcohol has to be purchased and consumed in licensed hotels, bars, and tourist areas. It can also be bought in larger supermarkets, where you will find alcoholic drinks in a separate room.
In most places, drinking alcohol in public is against the law and it could get you into trouble with the police. Most licensed bars don’t have any windows, which prevents people outside from looking in. There are, however, a small number of bars where alcohol is served outside and where tourists are allowed to drink publicly.
When it comes to drinking and driving, Morocco has a zero-tolerance approach, so don’t do it.
How Alcohol is Perceived
It’s important to note that even though you can drink alcohol in Morocco, drinking doesn’t have a very good image and most locals see alcohol as a Western drug. There’s also a law that forbids Muslim Moroccans to purchase alcohol, so you won’t see many locals drinking. This being said, Moroccans are drinking more than they did a couple of years ago according to a study. It’s still a good idea to be discrete and avoid walking around the city when you’re drunk though.
Alcohol during Ramadan
Tourists are still allowed to drink alcohol during the month of Ramadan, but only a few restaurants will serve it. It’s also good to know that if you’re visiting Morocco during Ramadan, most restaurants, food stalls, and stores will be closed during the day. It’s better to avoid eating and drinking (water) publically during this period.
After sunset, however, restaurants and supermarkets are often open until 1 am. So evenings are the ideal time to stock up on food and drinks.
Read: 15 Things you Need to Know Before Visiting Morocco
Where Can You Buy Alcohol in Morocco?
You can find plenty of licenced bars, restaurants, and supermarkets that sell alcohol in Marrakech. This city even has a couple of licensed liquor stores. Alcohol can also be found in other big cities like Agadir, Tangier, Casablanca, and Rabat, or in supermarkets like Carrefour and Atacadão. You’ll rarely find it in the city’s medina (ancient town), however, so head to the new town if you want to have a drink.
Note that you won’t be able to find alcoholic drinks everywhere in Morocco. They’re nearly impossible to find in the countryside or if you’re heading off the beaten path.
Locally Produced Alcoholic Drinks
Moroccon Beer
As the production of beer was introduced by the French in the 20th century, Morocco has a few local beers. The country’s premium beer is Casablanca, named after the largest city in the country. This beer is slightly more expensive than the others, but it also has the reputation of being the best beer in Morocco.
Other popular Moroccan beers are Flag Spéciale and Stork. These are all distributed by Société des Brasseries du Maroc, which belongs to Heineken.
Moroccon Wine
Wine has been produced in North Africa since the Phoenicians colonized its coasts over 2.500 ago. During the last centuries, the production of wine started booming in Morocco, and today, the country is the second-largest producer of wine in the Arab world.
Morocco has five big wine regions: Meknès/Fès, the East, the Northern Plane, Rabat/Casablanca, and El-Jadida. While most of the wines (75%) produced here are red, Morocco also produces grey wines, which is a variation of rosé. White wines only make up 3% of the country’s wine production.
Some of Morocco’s most famous brands of wine are Gerrouane, Beni M’Tir, and Berkane.
Tip: If you like wine, then visiting a Moroccan vineyard and going wine-tasting might be a fun activity.
Mahia
Mahia, meaning ‘water of life’ in Moroccan, is a spirit made from dates or figs with the addition of aniseed. This drink was first produced by Moroccan Jews around 1900. It’s quite hard to come by, however, as the Jewish population fled and hence the production of Mahia decreased. Some people still make it at home though, and you can find it in some liquor stores.
Is Alcohol Expensive in Morocco?
Compared to countries in Europe, alcohol is quite expensive in Morocco, as it’s highly taxed. You can expect to pay €2,50 to €3,50 ($2,90 to $4) for a 25cl domestic beer and €4 to €6 ($4,65 to $7) for a 33cl beer. You’ll pay more in bars and restaurants, so you’ll want to head to the supermarket if you’re looking for the cheapest prices.
Can You Bring Your Own Alcohol?
Bringing alcohol to Morocco is possible, but you will have to make sure that you’re not carrying more than 1 litre with you when you’re entering the country. Do check the most recent entry requirements before leaving.
Final thoughts on drinking alcohol in Morocco
Although it is possible to drink alcohol in Morocco, it is frowned upon, so be mindful of the culture and don’t drink in public. You’ll be able to have a drink in licenced hotels, bars, and most tourist areas.
However alcohol is expensive, and you should be aware of the fact that not every place serves alcoholic drinks. If you’re travelling through the countryside, chances are that you won’t find any places serving alcohol.
Read: Morocco: I Love It, I Hate It
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